Marcus Trescothick has issued a call for tougher penalties for spectators who run onto the pitch.

"I would advocate the Australian system whereby any spectator running on the pitch during the game should be hit with a heavy fine and then banged up for a night in the cells," the England and Somerset opener told the Mail on Sunday.

Trescothick was voicing his fears after the Edgbaston pitch invasion of Thursday night, when team-mate Nick Knight was assaulted on the pitch. Trescothick was keen to distinguish between over enthusiasm and deliberate intimidation, and believes that some spectators crossed the line between the two on Thursday night.

"I feel it is important to stress the serious risk the players felt under on Thursday," Trescothick explained. "No one minds enthusiasm or exuberance and I totally accept that there was no malice in the premature celebrations which forced the interruption. But some of the behaviour of the crowd prior to that flashpoint made the atmosphere the ugliest and most hostile I have ever experienced.

"We all accept that people are entitled to voice their opinions and you expect a bit of good-natured banter. But this was different. This was full-on, foul-mouthed personal abuse and there was nothing remotely amusing about it."

Meanwhile David Graveney, Chairman of the Selectors and Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association, has echoed calls for harsher penalties for miscreants and warned that action should be taken before a serious incident occurs.

"We agree with Alec Stewart that in terms of security, it wasn't adequate," Graveney said, referring to Edgbaston. "Everything must be done to give that an uplift. The England Cricket Board have issued a series of measures and let's see how they work.

"Areas have got to be looked at because sooner or later, a player or an umpire, is going to have a serious injury. We're obviously trying to avoid that scenario happening.

Graveney also lent his support to Australian captain, Steve Waugh, who has publicly voiced his concern over the levels of security at English grounds.

"Australia have voiced their concern with some justification. You look at the way Australia have treated security; there are considerable penalties for even putting one foot on the pitch. I think the ECB have to speak to the Australians to see how it's worked. They have life bans from grounds; it's pretty Draconian, but it does work."

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